996 T Getting my scanner to view thru computer

[chris24go]

I am using USB Cable. I get an error that com port 1 is not avaiable maybe be used be other software. Any help would be appreciated.

[w8jjr]

May need more info as what program you are using.

Most computers reserve COM1 and COM2 and USB Serial Port will be assigned anywhere from 3 to what ever

Try this


Bring up My Computer
Right Click on screen
Click on properties
Select Hardware Tab
Select Device manager
Select Ports Comm&Lpt
Click on + box
Note comm port that usb serial port is assigned to
In your program set port to this comm port

[ka3jjz]

Also keep in mind that some USB driven devices may allocate their drivers and tie up a COM port, regardless of whether it's actually physically connected or not. It is also very important to load the drivers and check the allocated COM ports first, before actually connecting the USB device. Make sure you get the most up to date drivers for your OS. 73 Mike

[chris24go]

I don't see my computer.

[chris24go]

How do I know if I have the most current drivers.

[UPMan]

"I don't see My Computer"

Click the start button in the lower left corner of your desktop. Then, click on My Computer (or Computer for some versions of Windows).

"How do I know if I have the latest drivers?"

By checking the cable manufacturer's web site.
Tell us which cable you are using and we might be able to provide more specific help.

[chris24go]

usb-a to serial cable is Gigaware? Appewciate your help.

[UPMan]

Warning: Do not go to gigaware.com (which was my first stab at looking for drivers). It is a porn portal.

Then I remembered that Gigaware is a RadioShack house brand. Drivers are at:

Gigaware® 6-ft. USB-A to Serial Cable - RadioShack.com

[loumaag]

Paul,

Also based on this topic in the New User forum, I suspect that the OP here needs some specific help about the 996T and which port to use and how to establish communication between the PC and 996T.

Since most of the answers will probably come faster here I am going to post a suggestion that he maintain this topic for his best bet for help in this matter.

[UPMan]

If you are running Vista, after you select "Properties" in Jim's instructions, Device Manager will be a link in the upper left corner of the page. Jim's instructions are accurate for XP.

When you plug in the cable, it will create/assign a COM port to the cable (you can see this happen if you have the Device Manager open when you plug in the cable). That COM port is what you need to select in UASD (or whichever software you are using). If a new COM port does not show up when you plug in the cable, then you haven't properly installed the drivers.

[chris24go]

Originally Posted by UPMan

If you are running Vista, after you select "Properties" in Jim's instructions, Device Manager will be a link in the upper left corner of the page. Jim's instructions are accurate for XP.

When you plug in the cable, it will create/assign a COM port to the cable (you can see this happen if you have the Device Manager open when you plug in the cable). That COM port is what you need to select in UASD (or whichever software you are using). If a new COM port does not show up when you plug in the cable, then you haven't properly installed the drivers.

not tring to be difficult I don't see properties. Sorry i am not good with this kind of thing.

[w8jjr]

What computer are you using ?
What operating system win95 win98 win2000 xp vista ?
What software are you using to try to connect to the scanner ?

[chris24go]

[QUOTE=w8jjr;1026410]What computer are you using ?
What operating system win95 win98 win2000 xp vista ?
What software are you using to try to connect to the scanner ?[/QUO

Dell Studio Laptop
Vista Professional
BCD996T USAD Free software from uniden (willing to use another if youu know another)

I have the 9 pin connected to a usb adapter. Appreciate the help

I am also on Yahoo IM chrissefchick

[w8jjr]

Sure Try downloading bctools
bcTool

It has a feature to detect your scanner.

Once you get it installed and running

on top select options
serial port / network
then select detect scanner

Besure you have installed the drivers for the usb adapter first

That may get you up and running
I check back later

[andy404ns]

[QUOTE=chris24go;1026537]

Originally Posted by w8jjr

What computer are you using ?
What operating system win95 win98 win2000 xp vista ?
What software are you using to try to connect to the scanner ?[/QUO

Dell Studio Laptop
Vista Professional
BCD996T USAD Free software from uniden (willing to use another if youu know another)

I have the 9 pin connected to a usb adapter. Appreciate the help

I am also on Yahoo IM chrissefchick

I thought that you said you purchased the Uniden USB cable? It might be worth doing that if you haven't as the problem could be with your adapter and not your computer or scanner. Did you go through the process of trying each com port with a low baud setting?

[UPMan]

[quote=chris24go;1026537]

Originally Posted by w8jjr

What computer are you using ?
What operating system win95 win98 win2000 xp vista ?
What software are you using to try to connect to the scanner ?[/QUO

Dell Studio Laptop
Vista Professional
BCD996T USAD Free software from uniden (willing to use another if youu know another)

I have the 9 pin connected to a usb adapter. Appreciate the help

I am also on Yahoo IM chrissefchick

To verify the com port, with the USB cable unplugged:

1) Click the START button in the bottom left corner of your desktop.
2) Click "Computer"
3) Right-click in the window that opens and select "Properties" from the drop-down menu.
4) Click "Device Manager" in the top left of the window that opens.
5) Click the "+" next to "Ports (COM & LPT)" (if this line exists). Make a note of any COM ports listed.
6) Plug in your USB-->RS232 cable. The screen should refresh.
7) Click the "+" next to "Ports (COM & LPT)" to expand that section, if it isn't already expanded. Make a note of the new COM port. That is the port you should select when you run UASD (or ARC or BCTool, or any of the others).

Note that if you have multiple USB jacks on your PC, each jack will be mapped to a different COM port when you plug in the cable. So, if it works one time, then doesn't work the next time, you probably used a different jack...look for a different COM port (or switch back to the original jack).

[chris24go]

The BCtool link will not open. Is that the BCD996T software or something else. If it is that I got it,

[chris24go]

How do I cancel the preloaded freq? and start to program usuing USAD996T Software?

[ka3jjz]

I don't use the UASD, and I have the 396, but this is what I would do - I would first dump the contents of the 996 into a file and store that away. Now I would clear the scanner ( I believe it's the same as many Unidens - hold 2,9,HOLD keys down while powering up), and when it asks to reload the preprogrammed frequencies, say no. You have NOT damaged anything. The preprogrammed frequencies are actually a copy of a listing stored in a protected area that you cannot access with software.

What this does is it clears what I will term 'user memory', and essentially gives you a blank slate with which to work. I personally would use FreeScan, as it's a bit easier to work with and somewhat more intuitive, particularly with setting up Quick Keys - which is a key concept in working with DMA scanners.

Sad to say, but BCTool has not been updated in a while now, but FreeScan just released a brand new version. Both packages are supported by the web service, which allows you to download data from the database here on RR. You need a (cheap) subscription to enable this feature. You can read about this by going up to the top blue toolbar under the logo, clicking on 'About', then making the appropriate selection. (To find the FreeScan website, just click on the blue text)

73 Mike

[loumaag]

When using UASD, just start a new configuration and only load the systems that you want into that configuration. When you upload to the scanner, just make sure you "erase" current memory and it will only have what you upload then in the scanner.